US 4,262,327 A · Portable fluorescent tube

Abstract

A portable fluorescent tube assembly is disclosed that is substantially all plastic and comprises improved end socket construction for the tube. In one form, an end socket comprises a support body having openings adapted to make an electrical connection therein with pins of the fluorescent tube. Radially extending fingers on the body tend to center it as desired. A rearward extension of the body has a transversely disposed aperture. Hollow socket members embrace the support body and have connecting sections which meet one another through the aperture of the rearward extension. Fastening means extend through the connecting sections of the socket members and the aperture to hold the socket construction in assembly. Optionally, one socket construction can contain a starter switch for the fluorescent tube and electrical leads needed to energize the tube. Preferably, the electrical plug for the electrical leads and the ballast for the fluorescent tube are combined in one integral unit remote from the tube to relieve the assembly of the weight of the relatively heavy ballast.

Claims14

Dependent claims

In a fluorescent tube assembly, an end socket therefor comprising a support body having openings adapted to make an electrical connection therein with said tube, a rearward extension on said body having an aperture, hollow socket members embracing said support body and having connecting sections axially aligned through said aperture of the support body, and fastening means extending through said connecting sections of the socket members and said body aperture to hold the end socket in assembly.

A portable fluorescent tube assembly comprising:

(a) a fluorescent tube having electro-connecting pins projecting from each end,
(b) a light-transmitting envelope disposed about the tube,
(c) a socket construction for each end of the tube comprising:
(1) a support body having substantially parallel passages adapted to receive pins of said tube and make an electrical connection therein,
(2) radially extending support fingers on said body adapted to engage said envelope and substantially center the socket construction with respect to said envelope,
(3) a rearwardly extending ledge on said support body having a transverse aperture,
(d) a pair of substantially cup-shaped socket members adapted to embrace said support body and meet along edges extending substantially parallel to the length of said envelope, said socket members having hollow connecting sections extending substantially transversely to said length of the envelope, at least one of the connecting sections passing through said aperture in said ledge of the support body and butting against another connection section,
(e) fastener means extending through said connection sections of socket members and said body aperture to hold the socket constructions in assembly,
(f) a housing extension on one of said socket constructions containing starter switch means,
(g) electrical leads in said one socket construction containing said starter switch means and making electrical connection with said switch means and with pins of said fluorescent tube in said passages of the support body of said one socket construction, and
(h) further electrical leads extending from said first mentioned electrical leads along said envelope to the other socket construction and making electrical connection with the other pins of said fluorescent tube in said other socket construction.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Portable fluorescent tube

Life of this patent

Portable fluorescent tube

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14